NIA arrests key accused in Jiri killings of 6 Meiteis including child

JIRI/Ghy, Jul 31
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), along with Cachar police, has arrested Thanglienlal Hmar (45) alias Boya, a resident of Moinathol village in Dilkhosh Grant, Cachar, Assam, in connection with the brutal killings of six Meitei individuals, including a child, that took place last year in Jiribam district.
According to Jiri News Network, Thanglienlal Hmar was arrested from Moinathol Village situated on the bank of Barak River some 30 Kms on the southern side on Lakhipur police station today at around 10 am.  
SSP Cachar Numal Mahatta stated Thanglienlal Hmar played a critical logistical role in the abduction and subsequent murder of the victims.
Acting on credible intelligence, the NIA conducted raids and apprehended Hmar, who had been on the agency's radar for his alleged involvement in the coordinated attack.
Investigations reveal that Hmar transported six abducted persons — three women and three children — along with three armed assailants dressed in camouflage gear from Jakuradhar Ghat to Kaisalpunjee village Ghat using his boat.
The victims were later found killed, a crime that sparked widespread outrage and added to the volatile ethnic tensions in the region.
The arrest is seen as a significant breakthrough in the case and underscores the NIA’s and Cachar police's continuing efforts to bring justice to the families of the victims. More arrests in connection with the case are expected as the investigation progresses.
The members of the Meitei community who were kidnapped from Jiribam, a district bordering Assam, and whose mutilated bodies were found floating in a river days later, were Yumrembam Rani Devi (60), Telem Thoibi Devi (31) and her daughter Telem Thajamanbi Devi (8), Laishram Heithoibi Devi (25) and her two children Laishram Chingkheinganba Singh (2.5 years old) and Laishram Lamnganba Singh (10 months old).
At that time, the Manipur Cabinet in a resolution had called the suspects "Kuki militants".
The arrested suspect, however, belongs to the Hmar tribe, a distinct tribe and not part of the Kuki nomenclature. The Kukis in Manipur along with the Zomi and Hmar tribes have been rallying behind the banner of "Kuki-Zo" since ethnic violence with the Meiteis began in May 2023.
The women and children were kidnapped from Jiribam's Bokobera neighbourhood while another group of militants were engaged in a gunfight with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Ten of the militants were shot dead in the encounter.
Notably, the Manipur High Court had directed the NIA to  file within one month the charge sheet in the killing of three women and three children in Jiribam in November last year.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice K Somasekhar and Justice Ahanthem Bimol Singh gave the direction while hearing a PIL on Thursday.
"Subsequent to recording of the FIR, law was set into motion but till today, no specific report has been submitted for filing of charge sheet against culprits/accused," the HC said.
It noted that the counsel for the Centre has informed "that investigation has been carried out by the investigating agency and even it is in the process of completion of the investigation and filing of charge sheet against the culprits/accused."
The Centre's counsel placed before the Court two sets of sealed covered envelopes, containing a detailed progress report on the investigation, the order noted, "The two sealed covered envelopes said to contain the detailed progress report are taken on record."
"Keeping in view the status in this matter, one month's time is granted for submitting the detailed report in terms of charge sheet under Section 173 of CrPC and corresponding provision of BNSS Act, 2023," the HC said.
"It is made clear that if there is no progress made, the matter would be viewed seriously," it added.
The matter was listed for the next hearing on August 28.
The HC had on July 9 directed the NIA to submit a detailed progress report in the case.
The three women and three children, including a 10-month-old, were abducted on November 11 during an attack at a security camp in the Borobekra area of Jiribam district.
Two civilians were also killed in the attack.  
India Today NE with input from PTI and NDTV